Method and machine for forming fibrous slip covers



0&26, 1937.

L. E. LA BOMBARD METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING FIBROUS SLIP COVERSFiled NOV. 11, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR: Z wEl fl m i ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 26, 1937. L. E. LA BOMBARD 2,097,196

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING FIBROUS SLIP COVERS I WW ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 26, 1937. L. E. LA BOMBARD METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING FIBROUSSLIP COVERS Filed NOV. 11, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTNEYc.

Patented Oct. 26, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND MAC HINEFOR. FORMING FIBROUS SLIP COVERS poration of New York ApplicationNovember 11, 1935, Serial No. 49,217

9 Claims.

This invention has for its object, a method of forming slip covers forcontainers with the lower portion of their cylindrical rims, or flanges,expanded slightly outward in order that the slip covers may be readilyplaced, or started, on the containers and snugly fit the containers whenin place thereon, and also a particularly simple and efficient machinefor carrying out the method.

The method relates to forming the slip cover with its rim, or flangeexpanded slightly, and at the same time forming the rim so it willsnugly fit the container.

The method consists in forming the slip cover with the cylindricalflange having an inside diameter not greater than the outside diameterof the container, placing the flange of the slip cover upon a mandrel,gripping a narrow portion of the flange intermediate of its ends betweenthe mandrel and a roller, subsequently compressing the lower portion ofthe flange between the roller and the mandrel while the same are inmotion, releasing the flange from between the roller and mandrel, andremoving the flange from the mandrel.

That is, a comparatively narrow portion of the flange is first grippedbetween the roller and the mandrel and subsequently, the lower portionof the flange extending from the gripped portion to the lower edge iscompressed between the roller and the mandrel, while the roller andmandrel are revolved thereby compressing the thickness of the lowerportion of the flange and accordingly stretching the same, or increasingit slightly in diameter.

The slip cover may be formed in any suitable manner by the methods nowwell known to those skilled in the art. Usually, the cylindrical flangeconsists of a narrow band severed from a tube wound of multi-layer,paper formation. This band is placed into a machine which automaticallycrimps the upper edge or end of the band into interlocking engagementwith the periphery of a paper disk.

It is necessary that the cylindrical flange of the slip cover fit theupper end of the cylindrical container more or less tightly according tothe contents of the container. Where the container is used for liquidand semi-liquid products, it is essential that the flange of the slipcover fit the container tightly. To accomplish this re-- sult, it isnecessary to form the flange, or the tube from which it is severed, afew thousandths of an inch smaller than the outside diameter of thecontainer barrel. While this results in a tight joint between the slipcover and the container, it is extremely difficult to put the slip coveron the container. This problem has been appreciated in the papercontainer art for some time, and various attempts have been made toovercome it.

I have found that a slip cover formed as shown in my copendingapplication, Sr. No. 757,165 is very satisfactory in that it can bereadily and conveniently applied to and removed from the container, andwhen on the container effects a leak-proof closure. This slip cover isso formed that the cylindrical flange is initially a few thousandths ofan inch smaller inside diameter than the outside diameter of thecontainer wall. The flange of the container is thenprocessed so that thelower portion of the flange is increased slightly in diameter so thatthere is a clearance between that portion of the flange and the outsideof the container wall of a few thousandths of an inch. This stretched orexpanded lower portion of the flange extends parallel with the wall ofthe container, and provides a means whereby the slip cover can beconveniently started on the upper end of the container. This stretchingor expanding is done in such manner as not to increasethe diameter ofthe upper portion of the flange with the result that that portion, whenthe slip cover is on the container, effects a liquid tight joint betweenthe two.

The invention, as pertaining to the machine, consists in the novelfeatures and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forthand claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in allthe views.

Figure 1 is a top plan View, partly in section, of a machine forcarrying out this method.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the machine shown inFigure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of parts seen in Figures 1 and 2,forming part of the mechanism for compressing the flange of the slipcover on the mandrel.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the drive mechanism for themachine.

Figure 5 is an end elevation view looking to the left in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, partly sectional, view of a container andslip cover.

Figure 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the slip coverand contiguous portions of the roller and mandrel with the flange of thecover placed upon the mandrel, and the head of the roller contacting theflange.

Figure 8 is a view, similar to Figure 7, with the roller moved towardthe axis of the mandrel under pressure, and showing the formation of theflange of the slip cover.

This machine comprises a suitable. frame, a mandrel having an ax le, orshaft, mounted in the frame, a roller, and a support therefor mounted tocarry the roller radially toward and from the mandrel, a feed carriagemovable along the frame and operable to place theslip-co-vers on themandrel, and mechanism for rotating the mandrel, operating and tiniingthe operation of the roller, and operating and timing the operation ofthe carriage.

C, Figure 6, designates a container, this being usually formed up ofpaper-board, or paper stock. S designates the slip cover having acylindrical rim, or flange R, for slipping over the container, the slipcover-including a suitable head H, and the cylindrical rim R. The rim Ris initially formed so that the insidediameter thereof is a fewthousandths. of an inch smaller than the outside diameterof thecontainer C.

I!) designates generally, the frame of the machine.

l2 designates the rotatablernandrel, and IS a roller forcoactingtherewith. The mandrel l2, as here shown, is mounted "upon a shaft l4journalled in anti-friction bearings l5, 46, mounted in the frame If-The mandrel I2 is mounted on one end of the shaft. l4 overhanging thecontiguous portion of the frame ID. A suitable drive wheel IT is mountedon the other end of the shaft, this being here shown as a sprocketwheel. Oneof the bearings, as 16, is fixed in the frame from endwisemovement, and the other bearing I5 is mounted to float, or have an axialmovement relative to the frame 18; but. it is held from axial movementrelative to the shaft ld'by motion transmitting means mountedon theshaft by means of which power is taken from the shaft to actuate othermoving parts of the machine.

The motion transmitting means includes a worm l8 slidably keyed to theshaft I l and held in position from sliding. movement ,byspacing ringsI9 and 2D interposed between the ends of the worm and the inner ring ofthe bearing l5, and the inner ring of the'bearing 16; -The inner ring ofthe bearing [5 thrusts against the shoulder 2| on the shaft, and theouter ring of the bearing I6 is held between two shoulders on the frameIt), provided in any suitable manner, see Figure 4. The. sprocket l! isslidably keyed to the spindle I4, and its hub is thrust againstthe innerring of bearing I6 by nut 22 threadingon the end of shaft M.

A stripper ismounted axially of the shaft 14 for removing the finishedcovers fromlthe mandrel. This stripper comprises a rod 23 slidableaxially of the shaft l4 and having a head 24 atits end, within themandrel, and .a disk 25 secured1to the head 24 for pressing against theheads of the covers. The disk25 and'mandrel H! are provided with holes25 topermit the covers to be readily placed on and-removed from themandrel by releasing any'vacuum. The other end of the rod is secured toa plunger 2?, also slidably mounted in the shaft l4 and extending beyondthe end of the shaft where itccacts with actuating mechanism. Theactuation of the plunger 21, by its actuating mechanism, is against areturningspring 28 encircling the rod 23 within the shaft and thrustingat one end against the mechanism to be described.

plunger 21, and at its other end against a sleeve 29 pressed into theshaft. The rod and plunger are secured together by a pin 33.

The roller I3 is mounted on a stud 3| carried by a support, here shownas a lever 32 having a hub 33 mounted on a rod or overhanging arm 34suitably supported by brackets 35 on the frame It. The lever is hereshown as arcuate and extending above and crosswise of the mandrel l2.The stud is located between the ends of the lever 32 and directly abovethe mandrel so that during slight pivotal movement of the lever 32, theroller moves substantially radially relatively to the mandrel. The freeend of the lever 32 is connected to suitable timing and actuatingSuitable antifriction bearings 36 are interposed between'the roller l3and the stud 3|.

Themandrel I2 is formed with a base portion havinga cylindrical surface37 which fits the inner surface of the margin of the rim R of the slipcovers, and with a reduced advance portion 38.which is located withinand spaced from the base portion 40 of the rim when the rim is on themandrel so that the base portion 46 of the rim is unrestrained. duringthe rolling operation, see Figure 7.

The roller I3 is formed with a peripheral cylindrical surface 4|, andwith an annular bead .42 at the base'of the surface 41, and is relievedrim or flange R on the mandrel l2, the rim R is first contacted by thenarrow bead 42. That is,

"the flange R, is first clamped between the surfaces 38, 44, of themandrel and the head 42,

.the purpose for so doing will appear later.

Upon further movement of the roller toward the mandrel, the outerportion of the flange R is compressed between the cylindrical surfaces31, 4!, of the mandrel and roller respectively. The spindle l4 and themandrel are continuously rotated by a suitable drive connection to thesprocket I! from the main cover forming .machine. 'By this rotarymovement of the man- :drel and roller, the outer portion of the flange Ris rolled out or reduced in thickness, as indicated at 45, Figure 8, andinasmuch as the surface 31 of the mandrel i2 is of such diameter as "tosnugly receive'the flange R as initially formed,

the compression of the fibers in the outer portion of the rim results instretching or expanding said portion of the flange to increaseddiameter. This expanded portion is definitely defined at its uppermargin by the clamping of the. flange between the bead of'the roller andthe complemental surfaces on the mandrel. I have found that if theroller and mandrel are. not formed as described, the stresses resultingfrom the compression of the fibers in the outer portion extends to theupper orbaseportion 43 of the flange. "theflange must fit the containersnugly, it is essential that the flange at this point he not Inasmuch asthe upper portion 40 of disturbed so as to vary its diameter, and this 7result is obtained by clamping the flange of the cover between the beadand the mandrel preliminary to the compression of the outer portion ofthe flange.

The axis of the roller l3 is tilted slightly relative to the axis of themandrel l2, as shown in- Figures 1 and 3. This is donefor the purpose ofpreventing the slip cover from running off from the mandrel during thecompression operation on the flange of the slip cover. If the axis ofthe roller i3 extended parallel in both planes relative to the axis ofthe mandrel it, the slip cover would have-a tendency to thread off fromthe mandrel during the rotary motion. The head 42 of the roller l3 andthe inclined surface at of the mandrel are somewhat exaggerated in thedrawings in order to better illustrate the operation of the machine. Inpractice, the bead and the inclined surface 5 2 vary only a fewthousandths of an inch in diameter from the cylindrical surfaces 37, ii.

Having now described the general operation of the mandrel and roller,and the effect produced upon the flange of the slip cover, I proceed todescribe the mechanism necessary to render the machine automatic inoperation.

59 designates generally a carriage for feeding the covers onto themandrel. The carriage 59 is slidably supported on the overhanging shaftor arm 34, the carriage being provided with spaced apart bosses 5!formed with a bore to slidably receive the arm 3%, and the carriage isalso provided with a depending arm portion 52 formed with a boss 53bored to slidably receive the arm 5 which is supported and carried by adepending arm 55 secured to the end of the arm 34. The carriage so isprovided at its end toward the mandrel l2 with a receiver for receivingthe covers from the cover making machine, and also with means forselecting one cover at a time and transferring it onto the mandrel 52.This transferring or feeding means, as here shown, comprises a rotatablehead 5'5 journalled on suitable bearings on the end of shaft 5? which isslidably mounted in the carriage and arranged in axial alinement withthe shaft Hi. The shaft 5? is provided, a substantial portion of itslength, with a bore to receive the helical compression spring 58. Therear end of the shaft 5? is bifurcated, or slotted, as at 59.

A retaining bar (it! is secured to the end of the carriage extendingacross the bore thereof and through the slot 59. Th s constructionpermits sliding movement of the shaft 55'! relative to the carriage 55!,and at the same time the shaft 51 is held from rotation. A cap M issecured to the bifurcated end of the shaft 5? and overlies the face ofthe retaining bar 59. One end of the compression spring 58 abuts againstthe retaining bar it and tends to urge the shaft 5'! toward the mandreliii, such movement being restrained by the cap thrusting against the bar6d. The head 55 is located in the cover receiver 63. The carriage isactuated in timed relationship along the guides 34, as by mechanism tobe presently described.

As previously stated, a power drive is connected to the sprocket ll fromthe cover making machine, this effects constant rotation of the shaft Hiand the worm E8. The frame It] is provided with a suitably journalledshaft 65 extending transversely thereof and through the side members ofthe frame. This shaft has keyed to it intermediate its ends, a worm gear65 arranged to mesh with the worm is, said gearing transmittingcontinuous rotation to the shaft 65. The rear end of the shaft 6 5 haskeyed to it a crank El and to the crank pin of which is suitablyconnected one end of connecting rod 58, the other end being suitablyconnected to the carriage 50, as at 69. Accordingly, during operation ofthe machine, the carriage is reciprocated periodically toward and fromthe mandrel l2, and as the slip covers are delivered to the receiver 83they are in turn transferred to the mandrel 12. The purpose of thecompression spring 58 in shaft 5'! is to place each cover on the mandrelwith the same pressure.

The lever 32 is actuated about its pivot, 34 to move the roller l3toward and from the axis of the mandrel I 2 by motion transmittingmechanism to be now described.

A cam 10 is secured to the forward end of the shaft 65 and is formedwith a lobe H as here shown extending slightly over one-half itscircumference. A lever 12 is pivoted to the frame iii as at 13 and oneend provided with a follower l coacting with the periphery of the cam10. The action of the cam imparts a rocking movement to the lever 12about its pivot 13. The lever i2 is provided with a projection 15coacting with the lower end of rod 16, the upper end of which ispivotally connected to lever 32, as at H. The lower end of the push rod16 is guided in a suitable bracket 18, and is provided with a collar 19.A helical compression spring 80 is inserted between the boss of thebracket 78 and the collar E9. The compression spring 80 tends to movethe rod 16 downwardly to bring the roller it into contactwith themandrel l2. The collar is is adjustable to vary the pressure between theroller and the mandrel. When the lobe l! of cam iii coacts with thefollower 14, the lever 12 is rotated in a counterclockwise directionFigure 2, to lift the push rod 16, effecting separation of the roller [3from the mandrel l2.

A second cam is also secured to the forward end of the shaft 65. As hereshown, the cam 93 is rotatably mounted upon the hub of the cam Hi and issecured thereto in an adjustable manner by screws 9|. The cam 90 isprovided with a lobe 92 of comparatively short length. To the rear ofthe frame In, an angular lever 93 is pivoted as at 94. One arm of thelever 93 is arranged to coact with the plunger 21, and the other arm isprovided with a follower to coact with the cam 96. When the lobe 92engages the follower of lever 93, the lever is rocked in a clockwisedirection Figure 2, forcing the plunger 2? inwardly and effecting axialmovement. of the disk 25 to remove the completed cover from the mandrell2. 'Ihe crank 66, cams 10, 90, are so adjusted relatively that thecarriage is moved to the left Figure 2, transferring a cap from thereceiver 63 to the mandrel l2, and at the same time the lobe H of cam 10engages with the follower l i causing the roller l3 to be elevated, ormovedaway from the mandrel l2 to permit the flange of the slip cover tobe applied to the mandrel. Upon further operation of the device, thecarriage is moved to the right Figure 2, and the lobe ll passes out ofcontact with the follower M, permitting the roller I 3 to be pressedagainst the flange of the slip cover by action of the spring 88.

It will be observed that the spindle l4 makes several revolutions to onerevolution of the shaft 55. This permits the roller 1 3 to act on theflange of the cover throughout the periphery thereof to compress thefibers therein. Slightly after the time the lobe H of cam iii engagesthe follower T4 to release the roller'l3, the lobe 92 of cam an engagesthe follower of lever 93 effecting a quick ejection of the slip coverwhich falls into any suitable container, not shown. The frame I!) iscarried by a suitable bracket which is attached to the main coverforming machine, not shown, and is additionally supported by the rod 91.The sprocket 'I l is driven at such speed from the cover forming machineas to permit the operation on the flange of the cover at .the same speedthat the covers are produced by the machine.

What I claim is:

1. The method of forming fibrous slip covers for fibrous containersconsisting in initially forming the flange of the cover of internaldiameter not greater than the outer diameter of the container, applyingthe flange on a mandrel, preliminarily clamping the flange at anintermediate zone between the mandrel and a roller, subsequentlycompressing the fibers of the flange below said intermediate zone whilethe roller and mandrel are rotated, releasing the roller, and removingthe flange from the mandrel.

2. The method of forming fibrous slip covers for fibrous containersconsisting in initially forming the flange of the cover of less internaldiameter than the outer diameter of the container to which the cover isto be applied, placing the flange of the cover on a mandrel,preliminarily clamping the flange at an intermediate zone between themandrel and a roller, subsequently compressing the flange below saidintermediate zonebetween the roller and the mandrel while the same arerotating, releasing the roller, and removing the flange from themandrel.

3. The method of forming fibrous slip covers for fibrous containersconsisting in initially forming the flange of the cover of internaldiameter less than the outer diameter of the container to which thecover is to be applied, gripping the flange at an intermediate zonebetween the bottom and top thereof, and While gripped, subse 'quentlycompressing the fibers of the bottom portion of the flange, therebyslightly increasing the diameter of the lower portion of said flange.

4. A machine for forming'flanges of fibrous slip covers with the bottomportion of the flange of greater diameter than the upper portion, saidmachine comprising a frame, a mandrel rotatably mounted in said frame,said frame extending beyond the end of the mandrel, a carriage slidablymounted on said frame extension to ward and from the end of the mandreland being provided with a transfer head arranged coaxially with themandrel, a cover receiver arranged in juxtaposition to the mandrel andsaid transfer head, a support pivotally secured to the frame, a rollercarried by said support, said support being movable about its pivot tobring said roller into and out of contact with the flange of the coveron the mandrel, means operable to successively slide said carriage onsaid frame extension toward the mandrel to transfer a cover on the endof the mandrel; move said support to bring the roller into engagementwith the flange of the cover and subsequently out of engagement with thesame; and to remove the cover from the mandrel, and means for impartingrotary motion to the mandrel and said roller while the roller is inengagement with the flange of the slip cover.

5. A machine for forming flanges of fibrous slip covers with the bottomportion of the flange of greater diameter than the upper portion, saidmachine comprising a frame, a mandrel rotatably mounted in said frame,said frame extending beyond the end of the mandrel, a carriage slidablymounted on said frame extension toward and from the end of the mandreland being provided with a transfer head arranged coaxially with themandrel, a cover receiver arranged in juxtaposisaid carriage on saidframe extension toward the mandrel to transfer a cover on the end of themandrel; move said support to bring the roller into engagement with theflange of the cover and subsequently out of engagement with the same;and to remove the cover from the mandrel, and means for impartingcontinuous rotary motion to said mandrel.

6. A machine for forming flanges of fibrous slip covers with the bottomportion of the flange of greater diameter than the upper portion, saidmachine comprising a frame, a mandrel rotatably mounted in said frame,said frame extending beyond the end of the mandrel, a carriage slidablymounted on said frame extension toward and from the end of the mandreland being provided with a'transfer head arranged coaxially with themandrel, a cover receiver arranged in juxtaposition to the mandrel andsaid transfer head, a support pivotally secured to the frame, a rollercarried by said support, said support being movable about its pivot tobring said roller into and out of contact with the flange of the coveron the mandrel, means operable to successively slide said covertopreliminarily grip said flange at an intermediate zone and to compressthe lower portion of said flange, and means for imparting rotary motionto said mandrel during such pressing operation.

'7. In a machine for forming flanges for fibrous slip covers with thebottom portion of the flange of greater diameter than the upper portion,said machine comprising a frame, a mandrel rotat-.-

ably mounted in said frame, said frame extending beyond the end of themandrel, a carriage slidably mounted on said frame extension toward andfrom the end of the mandrel, a transfer head carried by said carriageand arranged coaxially-with said mandrel and having yielding axialmbvement relative to the carriage, a cover receiver arranged injuxtaposition to the mandrel and said transfer head, a roller journalledon the frame and being movable into and out of engagement with theflange of the cover on the mandrel, means operable to successively slidethe carriage toward the mandrel to transfer a cover from said receiverto the mandrel; move said roller into and out of engagement with theflange of the cover, and subsequently remove said cover from themandrel, and means for imparting rotary motion to the mandrel while theroller is in contact with the flange of the cover on the mandrel.

8. In a machine for forming flanges of fibrous slip covers with thebottom portion of the flange of greater diameter than the upper portion,said machine comprising a frame, a mandrel journalled in the frame, asupport pivoted to the frame and being provided with a roller, saidsupport being movable about its pivot to bring said roller into and outof engagement with the nrandrel, means yieldingly holding said supportwith the roller in mandrel engaging position, and means operable toperiodically move said support to carry said roller out of engagementwith the mandrel, and transfer means operable during said last mentionedoperation to transfer a slip cover onto the mandrel.

9. A machine for forming flanges of fibrous slip covers with the bottomportion of the flange of greater diameter than the upper portion, saidmachine comprising a frame, a mandrel rotatably mounted in said frame,said frame extending beyond the end of the mandrel, a carriage slidablymounted on said frame extension toward and from the end of the mandreland being provided with a cover transfer head arranged coaxially withthe mandrel, a support movably mounted on the frame and a roller carriedby said support, and said support being movable to bring the roller intoand out of contact with said mandrel, means operable to successivelyslide said carriage on said frame extension toward the mandrel totransfer a cover on the end of the mandrel; move said support to bringthe roller into engagement with the flange of the cover and subsequentlyout of engagement with the same, and to remove the cover from themandrel, and means for imparting rotary motion to the mandrel and saidroller while the roller is in engagement with the flange of the slipcover.

LEON E. LA BOMBARD.

